Starmer says ban on smoking in pub gardens could reduce burden on NHS

Prime Minister says new laws would lower the number of preventable deaths despite criticism of ‘nanny state’ policies

Sir Keir Starmer has confirmed the Government could ban smoking in pub gardens and argued it would reduce the “burden” on the NHS.
The Prime Minister told journalists in Paris on Thursday that ministers were looking at tightening smoking restrictions. Critics labelled the potential move as “authoritarian” and a “nanny state” policy.
Sir Keir said: “My starting point on this is to remind everybody that over 80,000 people lose their lives every year because of smoking. That is a preventable death, it’s a huge burden on the NHS and, of course, it is a burden on the taxpayer.
“So, yes, we are going to take decisions in this space, more details will be revealed, but this is a preventable series of deaths and we’ve got to take action to reduce the burden on the NHS and the taxpayer.”
Ministers are considering extending the ban on indoor smoking to areas outside football stadiums, outdoor restaurants and open-air spaces at nightclubs and pubs, according to leaked documents seen by The Sun.
The proposals will be subject to a public consultation but have prompted a backlash from politicians and the hospitality industry.
Nigel Farage, the Reform UK leader, said the Government was guilty of a “massive overreach”.
He told Talk TV: “It is not nanny-statism. It is authoritarianism. It is ‘I know what is best for you and you will damn well do it and what I am going to do is I am going to take your legal activity and make it illegal’.
“That is really what they are saying here. A smoke-free Britain by 2030. Really? Will it be drugs-free by 2030? Will it be obesity-free? Will it be alcoholism-free?
“This is a massive overreach by Government. I loathe these people and their very instincts.”
Tory leadership contenders also condemned the proposals.
Robert Jenrick labelled the move “nonsense” and called for a rethink as he warned of the potential for widespread pub closures.
The former immigration minister posted on X, formerly Twitter: “The last thing this country needs is thousands more pubs closing. Our country faces huge challenges. Why is Starmer focusing on this nonsense?”
Dame Priti Patel, the former home secretary, echoed a similar sentiment as she said the ban was “wrong” and would cause economic damage.
She said: “Imposing nanny state regulation like this on pubs and restaurants would not only be wrong but economically damaging. These are small businesses, run by hardworking people, that provide jobs up and down the country.
“Labour is devoid of ideas and has no economic plan and is now reduced to nanny state policies to pacify their socialist base and take freedoms and choices away from the British people.”
Dame Priti said the policy needed to be “reversed immediately before it endangers both our retail sector and the safety of our streets” as she raised concerns about who would enforce the ban.
The proposals were not included in the Labour Party’s general election manifesto and they would significantly toughen up the Tobacco and Vapes Bill, which originally made no mention of banning smoking outdoors.
The draft legislation was originally tabled by Rishi Sunak’s government to implement his plan to ban anyone born after 2009 from buying tobacco. The bill was an attempt to phase out smoking completely.
Labour ministers re-introduced the Bill in the King’s Speech after the Conservatives ran out of time to get it onto the statute book before the general election. 
All four nations of the UK would be affected by the outdoor ban if it does go ahead.
A Department of Health and Social Care spokesman said: “We do not comment on leaks. Smoking claims 80,000 lives a year, puts huge pressure on our NHS, and costs taxpayers billions.
“We are determined to protect children and non-smokers from the harms of second-hand smoking. We’re considering a range of measures to finally make Britain smoke-free.”